Charlotte weekend

Memorial Day weekend, we visited some of our college buddies in Charlotte.  Except that we didn't get any sleep (rotten babies), we had such a great time.  Our kids got along so well.  And man was it good to catch up.  We love us some Williams family.  

Lemonade for the Least of These

We had the honor and privilege to do a lemonade stand with some friends.  This wasn't just any lemonade stand.  This was a nationwide event.  Our friend Ava Forrest, who is 9 by the way, organized lemonade stands to give money to the orphanage in Ethiopia where her little brother stayed before he came home. Ya'll this little girl raised over $8,000 to send.  If a 9 year old can do that, what the heck am I doing all day long?! If you want more info visit Lemonade for the Least of These

My man the author

We are so very excited about this.  It has been such a labor of love and hard work and sacrifice.  I am so so proud of Spencer.  He has worked so hard, and done such a wonderful job.  You can get one on Amazon :)

Muffins with Mom

The boys had a "Muffins for Mom" at school.  We had muffins and then the kids all sang songs.  It was so cute.  

staff retreat 2013

Spence, Haddie and I got to get away for staff retreat for a few days.  It is so so great to get together with the other staff and their wives and reconnect.  I love getting to meet newer wives to staff and seeing ones that go to a different campus so I don't get to spend much time with them.  It was so bittersweet this year because our church planting residents finished out their year with the retreat.  We had a sweet time praying over them and their wives (if they were there).  We also got to hear from the man who planted our church over 50 years ago.  He has such an incredible story and I loved hearing him talk about planting, leaving and serving in Vietnam for the majority of his career, and just sharing about his life in general.  

Haddie loves snuggles with Danny

She made some sweet new baby friends

Spence thought I would go with him to the top of the mountain.  Clearly, he forgot who he married.  But I was super proud when he sent me this pic of him from the top!

This girl

The residents

Mother's Day- Christ is better

Better than your desire to be pregnant or bring a child home through adoption

Better than the mom that is no longer with you

Better than the child you buried way too soon

Better than the "perfect obedient" son or daughter

Better than the child who has lost their way

Better than that moment where you see your child's picture for the first time in the referral

Better than the dark moment as you are miscarrying

Better than the first time you hold your baby

Better than the moment your child returns to you from rebellion

Better than the positive pregnancy test or the negative pregnancy test. 

Better than the perfect Pinterest birthday party

Better than the clean house, well dressed children, and delicious and nutritious meal you prepared

I haven't experienced all of these, but the ones I have I know that Christ is better. 7 years ago, I desperately wanted to be pregnant. It became almost an obsession with why my body failed me. Christ is better than the baby He has blessed me to mother.  He is better than that sweet boy who made me mama and better than each of the babes that have followed. Christ is better than the surprise positive test when we had a 2 year old and 1 year old already. He is better than the emptiness I felt when Rae went to be with The Lord at almost 12 weeks. He is better than the next babies I have carried with great fear to delivery and are now 2 years and 7 months. He is better than the days that I pack healthy lunches, wash/fold/put away the clothes (hello anyone else have baskets of clean laundry for weeks?!?!), the super fun Pinterest worthy crafts, the healthy and yummy dinner I prepare, the kids who quote their Awana verse correctly. He is better than the days that I yell at my kids, ignore my husband, and serve goldfish for dinner.  

In times of joy or despair, He is better.  So for each of you in one of these places today, I am praying for you. I am praying for you to see past your current circumstances. I am praying you will see that Christ is better. 

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Easter 2014